An environmental group under the aegis of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) on climate change, has reemphasized that adaptation to climate change remains a top priority in the continent.
Speaking at the first AGN Preparatory Meeting in Livingstone, which was held together with the Young Climate Change Negotiators Training, Zambia’s Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Permanent Secretary, John Msimuko, said adjusting to the effects of climate change remains one of the issues that Africa is facing.
“Adaptation remains a very important consideration as humans, infrastructure and ecosystems on the continent continue to go through climate shocks and economic distress. The latest statement by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has reported that Africa will need up to $86.5 billion for adaptation alone by 2030. Yet Africa only contributes approximately 4% to global Green House gas emissions. Because of this, we should continue pursuing Africa’s special needs, situations, and conditions, especially at this year’s COP28. There is a need for a transformative duty concerning adaptation at COP28,” he said.
COP28 will be held in the United Arab Emirates from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023.
With a busy program awaiting negotiators, the meeting provided a chance to discuss the outcomes and achievements of COP27 and procedures on the Group’s work plan and their anticipations for the impending sessions; SB58 in June and COP28 later in November.
Ahead of the final phase of the Global Stocktake (GST) later this year, the topic was one of the key issues discussed among several important agenda items. The discussions revolved around the need for the Global Stocktake to take a leveled approach by removing an innate preference for relief at the expense of adaptation.
“As AGN, we would like to see a result that is comprehensible and balanced to stimulate development across all the subject areas, and respect the priority issues of all parties and stakeholders,” said Ephraim Mwepya Shitima, Chairman of AGN.
“The implicit predisposition in favor of mitigation ought to be sorted out while the needs of adaptation and recognition of adaptation actions as part of the contribution of Parties towards the global effort should be given sufficient attention,” he added.
Some of the key issues and priorities for Africa discussed included: methods for the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund; duplication of adaptation funds and the general need for transformation of the climate finance architecture; taking into account national circumstances (Africa’s special requirements and conditions); a call for determined mitigation in the factor of the current IPCC Synthesis report; Koronivia Joint work on Agriculture and food security; and undertaking of the Gender Action Plan.
